BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON 
202. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. 24 in. 
Bill much heavier than that of the herons; neck and 
legs shorter and stouter; eye red; bill black; legs and 
bare space in front of eye, pale yellowish-green. Young 
birds are mottled with brownish-gray and white; eyes 
yellow. As their name implies, these herons do most 
of their feeding after dusk, sleeping during the greater 
part of the day. Their heronries are usually located in 
swamps, and preferably in coniferous trees. A visit to 
one of these is very interesting, but old clothes must 
be worn, for their homes are filthy. On your approach, 
the old birds flap away, and circle about with squawks 
of disapproval, and all the young birds commence a 
loud ticking noise, like what would be produced by hun- 
dreds of huge ‘ grandfather’s clocks.” 
Notes.—A harsh ‘“ quark.” 
Nest.—A platform of sticks; eggs pale bluish-green. 
(2.00 x 1.40). 
Range.—Breeds north to New Brunswick and Mani- 
toba; winters in the Gulf States and southward. 
